KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is facing criticism over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) clear absence from the presentation ceremony of Champions Trophy 2025, a tournament hosted by Pakistan.
The absence of any PCB official at the ceremony, where the host nation has been represented traditionally, has sparked debate and raised questions about the ICC’s organising of the event.
Multiple sources confirmed that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was expected to attend the ceremony, had been unable to travel to Dubai due to health reasons.
However, the PCB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Tournament Director Sumair Ahmed Syed was present at the final match in Dubai, but despite his availability, the ICC did not include him in the presentation party, a decision that has been described as a deliberate snub by various quarters.
“The chairman couldn’t travel, but COO Sumair Ahmed Syed was there and attended the final. He should have been on stage to represent the PCB,” a source close to the matter told this correspondent.
Geo News understands that the PCB is also unhappy regarding this matter. However, there was no immediate reaction from the board on it.
Meanwhile, composition of the final presentation party, which included BCCI President Roger Binny, Secretary Devajit Saikia, former New Zealand player Roger Twose, and ICC Chairman Jay Shah, further fueled the controversy.
